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Coronado Gets Ready For Big 4th Of July Celebration

A photo shows 4th of July fireworks in downtown San Diego, July 4, 2017.
Christopher Maue Photography
A photo shows 4th of July fireworks in downtown San Diego, July 4, 2017.

From Oceanside to the border, San Diego County residents are getting ready for the first Fourth of July celebrations in two years.

The Big Bay Boom will thunderously light up the sky once again this year, and lots of people will be taking it in from Coronado. The island was hopping on Friday, a feeling of celebration in the air.

Coronado Gets Ready For Big 4th Of July Celebration
Listen to this story by John Carroll.

“We expect to have over 2,000 runners this year, yeah we’re very excited,” said Brian Ulery, the race director for the Crown City Classic running race.

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The starting line is set up for the Crown City Classic race at Tidelands Park in Coronado on July 2, 2021.
Roland Lizarondo
The starting line is set up for the Crown City Classic race at Tidelands Park in Coronado on July 2, 2021.

On Friday, race volunteers were putting up bunting at the finish line in Tidelands Park. Ulery said it’s great to see things return to normal for this 48 year old tradition.

“This is the first running event in San Diego in a year and a half ... I was telling everybody at our staff meeting on Thursday, I didn’t know if I’d ever do this again, and here we are setting up in the sunshine,” said Ulery.

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Over at the Coronado Ferry Landing, people were waiting in line at Holland’s Bikes and Beyond.

“We’ve been doing pretty well today. We’re almost out of bikes inside and it’s only Friday!” said rental associate Christian Molenaar.

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Surreys are lined up outside Howard's Bicycles and Beyond in Coronado on July 2, 2021.
Roland Lizarondo
Surreys are lined up outside Howard's Bicycles and Beyond in Coronado on July 2, 2021.

Molenaar said things weren’t terrible for Holland’s last year, riding bikes was one of the few activities available during the pandemic.

“Definitely looks like things are kind of coming back to normal. We’re seeing bigger crowds than last year,” he said.

On the other side of the island at the Glorietta Bay Inn, much the same story. It’s not that things were terrible last year, it’s just that they’re a lot better this year, said general manager Claudia Ludlow.

“It started with spring break and that flow is just going through all the way to the end of the year. People are ready to get out and have some fun,” said Ludlow.

The annual Fourth of July parade is also back, but they’re holding it on July 3 this year.

And back at Tidelands Park, race director Brian Ulery said something that’s probably on a lot of our minds right about now.

“It’s good that America is back and that we’re all back and we get to have a race and we get to have some fun,” said Ulery.

VIDEO: Big Bay Boom Returns, Highlights 4th Of July Festivities This WeekendCoronado Gets Ready For Big 4th Of July Celebration